The recent US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the capture of its leader have renewed unease regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the former president's political movement have reportedly focused on the strategically important island following the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Official Outrage
Only a short time following the start of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is married to a high-ranking presidential adviser, posted a symbolic map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the American flag, with the single-word message: "SOON."
This blatant threat to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and strong criticism from Denmark's officials.
"We are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat further highlighted that Denmark had substantially increased its defence spending this year, earmarking a substantial sum expressly for Arctic and regional defence. "And yes, we expect full recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Strategic Interests
The situation were further exacerbated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the president, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's decisive move, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally important for national security and future resource extraction. It currently houses the northernmost US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable television appearance, the president refused to rule out the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during growing great-power competition in the Arctic. "I don't rule it out. I don't say I'm going to do it, but I don't rule out anything... We need Greenland very badly," he stated.
He characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Friction and Local Resistance
In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a unified and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants desire independence from Copenhagen, there is also little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek independence for many years.
Expert View: A Credible Threat?
Military experts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One policy analyst focusing in military analysis admitted she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could do anything about it," she concluded.
